Terrace community observes National Day of Mourning

Roses and flower wreaths adorned the workers memorial near the Terrace Sportsplex to commemorate the National Day of Mourning on April 28. (Brittany Gervais photo)

Members of the Terrace community observed the National Day of Mourning on Saturday, April 28, a day that is reserved across Canada to honour those who have lost their lives while working on the job.

Organized jointly by the Kitimat-Terrace District and Labour Council and the Northern Traffic Safety network, the ceremony started at 11:00 a.m. and began with bagpipes and a flag ceremony at the local RCMP detachment.

It was followed by a march downtown to the workers memorial plaque up on the hill near the Terrace Arena, which was then adorned with a half-dozen red roses and several flower wreaths to honour the lives lost.

This year, 158 people died of workplace injuries or illnesses in British Columbia, with many more injured, according to the province.

“Our government will provide better protections for workers, stronger compliance and enforcement, and fair and balanced treatment of workers and employers,” said Premier John Horgan in a written statement.

“To all those affected by injury or loss of life at work: we stand with you. We remember. We will act.”

Coast Mountains School District flags were also lowered to half-mast on Friday afternoon in observation of the day, and will be raised on Monday, April 30 before school starts.

“The purpose of the National Day of Mourning is two-fold,” wrote Carole Gagnon, executive assistant and secretary-treasurer for the Coast Mountains Board of Education School District 82 in an email.

“To remember and honour those lives lost or injured and to renew the commitment to improving health and safety in the workplace, [and] to prevent further deaths, injuries and diseases from work.”

The Canadian flag on Parliament Hill is typically flown at half-mast on April 28, and workers and employees observe this day in various ways nationwide. Since its inception, the observance has spread to over 80 countries around the world.